Last year, the U.S. market value of erectile dysfunction drugs was £5.8 billion and is projected to hit £8.9 billion by 2020.
The market value of erectile dysfunction drugs will be worth more than that of drugs for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes combined by next year.
Viagra, the world’s best-selling drug, generated around £4.5 million in sales revenue last year alone. This, however, is expected to increase to £12.8 million by next year.
The sexual health market has also seen a boom in popularity. Searches for “Viagra” spiked by 63% in the U.S. between April 2021 and March 2022.
While ED drugs have changed a lot over the years, their primary purpose has remained the same: to help men with erectile dysfunction achieve an erection when necessary and help them satisfy their partners when possible. If used appropriately, ED drugs can be a powerful tool in a male’s sexual health toolbox and, for some, an irreplaceable part of their life.
So how do these drugs perform? What effects can they have on a patient? How long does it take for them to work? As it turns out, not much has changed in terms of how Viagra works since its creation in the 1960s. As a matter of fact, the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil (trade name: Viagra), was originally developed to treat pulmonary hypertension. Since that time, it has been adopted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and has proven highly effective in both cases.
Viagra has been featured in a wide range of media publications and has even been mentioned on social media outlets like Twitter as being one of the most successful and influential drugs of all time. With so much attention on it, it’s a wonder that doctors, patients and the public still have so much to learn about this incredible medication.
What Do These Drugs Do?
When used appropriately, ED drugs can help men with erectile dysfunction achieve improved erectile function. As the name implies, erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. When this happens, a man may find himself unable to satisfy his partner sexually and can become frustrated and depressed. ED medications can help improve erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis and relaxing the muscles that help control blood pressure in the organ. In some cases, this can help increase blood flow to the penis by as much as 25%.
The exact reason why ED drugs can help improve erectile dysfunction is still unknown. However, there are a number of possible explanations. First, there may be a lack of desire or excitement in the patient that is causing the erectile dysfunction. In this case, the drug can help reignite the patient’s interest in sex, and maybe even their ability to perform sexually. It can also help treat the cause of the dysfunction rather than just the symptoms of low blood flow to the penis. When this is the case, the patient may experience a greater degree of improvement and longer-lasting effects as compared to patients who are only treating the symptoms.
How Long Does It Take For These Drugs To Work?
The effect of most ED drugs wear off after about 30 minutes. In rare cases, this time can be as long as three hours. However, when compared to other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, this time is short. In order to achieve the desired effects, most men will need to take a second dose about half an hour after the first one. The reason for this variation is unknown, but it is thought to be due to differences in individual physiology and tolerance.
Some men may also require longer than usual to recover from the effects of the drug. This is mainly due to the fact that they have to wait for their bodies to process the drug before it becomes effective. In these cases, it may be advisable to take the tablet an hour or two before having sex or experiencing sexual desire. Also, some men may experience headaches, palpitations or dizziness as a side effect of the drug. If these side effects are bothersome, then patients may need to take it less frequently or omit a dose.
What Are The Most Effective Doses For These Drugs?
The daily recommended dose of Viagra is usually between one and two tablets, taken half an hour to an hour before sexual activity. When it comes to maintaining a healthy sex life, some men may require more frequent or higher doses, while others may require a lower dose to achieve the desired effects.
The highest recommended dose of Viagra is actually one tablet every four hours. However, this dose is rarely used and is generally reserved for cases where the patient is unable to tolerate a standard dose or if the patient is experiencing severe side effects from the drug. Patients who take this dose may also need to lie down for a few minutes afterward to help relieve any discomfort.
Like most medications, the effects of these drugs can be greatly diminished by abusing or overusing them. It’s also possible for a man to develop a tolerance to the effects of the drug. When this happens, even the smallest dose can prove effective and the need to increase the dose may disappear. In these cases, the individual may need to try a different ED drug or combination of drugs to restore normal erectile function.
However, it’s always best to start out small and gradually increase the dose over time. This way, the patient is less likely to experience any side effects or negative effects from the medication. In some cases, particularly when the patient is already taking other medications for other health concerns, it can be tricky to determine the right dose for this drug. In these situations, the doctor may need to start out with a lower dose and gradually increase it over time.
What Are The Side Effects Of These Drugs?
As mentioned above, there are several different side effects that may occur from the use of these drugs. Frequently, the side effects of oral ED drugs are minimal and transient. However, sometimes they can be more severe. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Visual disturbances
- Riding a wave of pleasure
- Weakness
- Skin rash or itching
- Palpitations
- Fainting
- Tremors
- Loss of coordination
- Ringing in the ears
- Dry mouth
- Upset stomach
In some cases, men have complained of experiencing longer-lasting side effects from these medications. The most common one is headache. In rare cases, men have complained of experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. These are usually symptoms of a condition called endothelial dysfunction. In this case, it is important to seek medical help immediately to prevent any potential mental health issues.
Is There Research-based Support For These Drugs?
Not only has Viagra proven effective in clinical trials and been clinically shown to improve erectile dysfunction, but it has also been mentioned in many reliable sources as being one of the most effective and, in some cases, the most reliable ED drugs available. Here are just some of the sources: